I am going to USA on a business trip in a few weeks and they are a lot cheaper there. I know there is more than one model that supports LTE bands that Australia and UK use. Just want to be certain I can get the right one, otherwise I would just pay the extra $150 or so and buy it here next week. I'm also going to Singapore so that could work too, but would hate to get the wrong one.
I think it's A1530 or A1429 to get LTE in Oz, UK is A1457

I might end up having to buy an unlocked 5C overseas and want to get the right model for use on Australian networks. Anyone know which model number I need to chase?

Click to expand...

The American model will not support Australia's 4G-Plus networks that will be rolled out later this year.

I too am going to the USA in a few weeks time, but have decided I'll just pay the extra $50 in Australia, and ensure that I purchase the correct model. The Australian model also has additional compatibility for LTE on our regional neighbour networks.

The American model will not support Australia's 4G-Plus networks that will be rolled out later this year.

I too am going to the USA in a few weeks time, but have decided I'll just pay the extra $50 in Australia, and ensure that I purchase the correct model. The Australian model also has additional compatibility for LTE on our regional neighbour networks.

The 64GB 5S is US$849 (AUD$907) unlocked in the USA, and in Australia it is AUD$1129 (US$1056) for the same model. That's $222 difference.
That's why I'm keen to buy an unlocked GSM/LTE phone in the USA that will work in Australia on 4G/LTE.

"The American model will not support Australia's 4G-Plus networks that will be rolled out later this year."
- There is more than one model in the USA. One of them is the unlocked T-Mobile GSM version that I thought would work overseas on LTE.
Here is the link to all of the model numbers:http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

It's all good. If no one knows I will wait till they get released in Oz, go check the model numbers, then go to USA and try to get the same model over there. Just a long process if I end up having to get it it Oz anyway. Waiting a month extra for a new toy is always tough

The 64GB 5S is US$849 (AUD$907) unlocked in the USA, and in Australia it is AUD$1129 (US$1056) for the same model. That's $222 difference.
That's why I'm keen to buy an unlocked GSM/LTE phone in the USA that will work in Australia on 4G/LTE.

"The American model will not support Australia's 4G-Plus networks that will be rolled out later this year."
- There is more than one model in the USA. One of them is the unlocked T-Mobile GSM version that I thought would work overseas on LTE.
Here is the link to all of the model numbers:http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

It's all good. If no one knows I will wait till they get released in Oz, go check the model numbers, then go to USA and try to get the same model over there. Just a long process if I end up having to get it it Oz anyway. Waiting a month extra for a new toy is always tough

Click to expand...

You have neglected to add sales tax to your figures (that is, unless you will be visiting Oregon, which has no sales tax). That 849USD number will actually be closer to 949USD (depending on which state you visit).

That said, I'm certainly not disputing that there is value here...particularly since the AUD has gained an additional 2 cents today alone. Even after the banks take their cut of the exchange rate, you are still likely to save somewhere in the neighbourhood of 90-100AUD (although you will be stuck with an American-style charger!).

The model you will need in OZ is A1529(5c) or A1530(5s)...which may be difficult to find in the USA. An American model (GSM only) will technically 'work' on current Australian LTE networks (I believe they presently operate on the 1800mhz band)...although it will not be compatible with the new network bands announced (and being rolled out later this year to compliment 1800mhz) as a result of the recent Australian spectrum auction. The American version is designed to be compatible with American/Canadian spectrum rollouts.

You have neglected to add sales tax to your figures (that is, unless you will be visiting Oregon, which has no sales tax). That 849USD number will actually be closer to 949USD (depending on which state you visit).

That said, I'm certainly not disputing that there is value here...particularly since the AUD has gained an additional 2 cents today alone. Even after the banks take their cut of the exchange rate, you are still likely to save somewhere in the neighbourhood of 90-100AUD (although you will be stuck with an American-style charger!).

The model you will need in OZ is A1529(5c) or A1530(5s)...which may be difficult to find in the USA. An American model (GSM only) will technically 'work' on current Australian LTE networks (I believe they presently operate on the 1800mhz band)...although it will not be compatible with the new network bands announced (and being rolled out later this year to compliment 1800mhz) as a result of the recent Australian spectrum auction. The American version is designed to be compatible with American/Canadian spectrum rollouts.

Click to expand...

I'm not so sure you are correct, because on the LTE page for Australia, it shows iPhone 5 and all 3 networks are listed, and that model of iPhone has the bands 1,3,5....so far all models of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C Support bands 1,3,5.....3 being 1800MHz....so how wouldn't it be compatible?

At the end of the day, no matter which iPhone 5S/5C model you get, they all will work in Australia, not to mention all the iPhone 5C/5S have "MORE BANDS" with the last two models listed have LESS bands....if anything....and the main point to note is that all the models sold in north america will be compatible with more LTE networks around the world.

Model 1457 and 1530 of iPhone 5S support the least amount of bands, I'm assuming 1457 will be the international GSM version, 1530 is the China Mobile version, while the first two are North American Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers, Fido, Telus, Bell and the A1453 is the Sprint + Softbank japan model as and from some reports it may just be the universal international model

Staff Member

I'm not so sure you are correct, because on the LTE page for Australia, it shows iPhone 5 and all 3 networks are listed, and that model of iPhone has the bands 1,3,5....so far all models of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C Support bands 1,3,5.....3 being 1800MHz....so how wouldn't it be compatible?

Click to expand...

It'll work with current networks, but I believe that Optus is rolling out service on band 40, which isn't supported by the US model.

The 64GB 5S is US$849 (AUD$907) unlocked in the USA, and in Australia it is AUD$1129 (US$1056) for the same model. That's $222 difference.
That's why I'm keen to buy an unlocked GSM/LTE phone in the USA that will work in Australia on 4G/LTE.

"The American model will not support Australia's 4G-Plus networks that will be rolled out later this year."
- There is more than one model in the USA. One of them is the unlocked T-Mobile GSM version that I thought would work overseas on LTE.
Here is the link to all of the model numbers:http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

It's all good. If no one knows I will wait till they get released in Oz, go check the model numbers, then go to USA and try to get the same model over there. Just a long process if I end up having to get it it Oz anyway. Waiting a month extra for a new toy is always tough

Click to expand...

If you would just check that link you would see the model number is A1530. The US Model is A1533

You should be able to get some LTE bands on the US model in Australia, but not all of them. There is some overlap between the two models.

Also yes don't forget to figure sales tax into your calculations. $849 + an average of 8% tax will cut your savings down.

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.